Most common 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 134 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2001 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (2)
Interior lighting
Vehicle description: certain pickup trucks equipped with 6.6l diesel engines fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." these vehicles have a brake system warning light in the instrument cluster that May not illuminate when the brake fluid is low.
Remedy: Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began July 9, 2001.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Vehicle description: certain 2-wheel drive pickup trucks fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." the problem was caused by a computer error that resulted in the certification label listing tire size and inflation pressure information that differ…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a new label and installation instructions. However, a dealer can install the label if the owner so desires. Owner notification began May 31, 2001.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500:
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury…
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
What 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Brakes all 62 →
2001 GMC Sierra 2500 hd diesel with allison trans, while on vacation 800 miles away lost all brakes (front and rear) nearly killing people. Found brake line bust at the fuel tank (which was full) excessive corrosion on all brake lines and under carriage of this truck less than 50K miles. This is the third time first had all rotors fail at 20K, dealer reluctantly replaced only by forcing the issue (under warranty) then at 36K line bust at master cylinder (front and rear) corrosion, $500 , then the line after that one to the proportioning valve another 500 to fix, the front hubs replaced two times at 300 each bad wheel bearings and corroded hubs, now rear line at the tank area, truck has 49K miles never in salt/snow, washed reg. Yet underside looks like a junker. This truck has been a disaster since day one! …
2001 GMC 2500 Sierra with 50 k miles, total brake failure!!!, this has happened before 2 times, first under warranty (they balked at fixing) replaced all rotors and calipers, then one month after warranty was out, failure again brake line corrosion from master cylinder to transmission (never seen that before!) cost $250 to fix, then the line behind that, under the fuel tank at 50K miles while 800 miles away in maine on vacation!! Nearly killed us! (and others) estimated cost to repair another $500... The entire frame and under carriage is rusted to hell! This truck is washed and waxed regularly, and was supposed to be under coated! I have had both front wheel bearing fail at 21K and then again at 35K miles with antilock brake failure as well both times, the bearings $300 apiece and dealer installed.. What next? Transmission will not shift when cold, below 50 degrees!! …
Engine & cooling all 29 →
Vehicle stalls and shuts off while driving and idle. Sometimes it starts back up immediately, other times it will just crank over but will not start. After letting it sit sometimes 5 to 20 minutes at a time it will then start back up. All research and issues with the vehicle indicate a manufacturer recall of a crankshaft position sensor. The vehicle will stall or shut off at random whether it's in motion down the highway in the middle of a intersection or at a stop sign . I have almost been t-bones due to the vehicle stalling in the middle of the intersection and I have also had to replace my drivers mirror due to the vehicle stalling on the interstate and nearly being hit by another vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500. While driving various speeds, the engine suddenly lost compression and the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to courtesy Cadillac (1345 evangeline thruway, broussard, la) where it was diagnosed that one or more fuel injectors were faulty and remained open. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact indicated that all eight fuel injectors were previously replaced approximately five years; however, but the failure recently recurred. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Wheels & tires
Having heard about Michelin recalls I checked the tires on my 2001 GMC Sierra pickup. I have Michelin lt245/75r16 120/116r xc lt4 tires with less than 20,000 miles wear. Two of them are "crumbling" out 1 1/2 inch above the rim. You can see fibers in the holes. There are cracks everywhere on all the tires. They have been covered from the sun. Granted the tires have age but I have never seen "crumbling" before.
While traveling west on I-10, in jefferson county, I felt a vibration and was slowing down when the left rear tire failed. My vehicle swerved and I pulled off the side of the road. The rubber on the tire separated and exposed the inflated tire. The tire maintained its air pressure and some of the steel belt was visible but the tread was missing. The vehicle traveling behind me, apparently, over steered in an effort to avoid my discarded rubber and drove off the roadway. Emergency personnel assisted this driver. The discarded rubber damaged the rear bumper and tailgate of my vehicle. The tire was sent to Firestone's complaint department at bfnt llc ( ref # 917284) and they evaluated it. They are not claiming the tire was defective. My vehicle is not used off road and the model number is lt245/75r16, steeltex radial r4s ii.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Sierra 2500 rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500?
The brakes — 62 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (29) and wheels & tires (14).
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from June 26, 2001 (interior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.